MD Recorder for MP3 to Sony MDS-PC2

Please note : I do not support this program any more, with devices like this Archos AV420 around, I've stopped using MD now!

Buy the unit I use for storing and viewing my digital images while on the move from Amazon. This unit also records video, plays MP3s, reads compact flash cards and acts as a portable remote storage device for your PC. Connect it to your TV, and view your videos and pictures as slideshows. Highly recommended!
Archos AV420 20GB MP3/MP4...

This program provides a method to record and title your MP3 files onto Minidisc using either optical or normal audio connections. It does not rely on setting a gap between tracks, it actually uses the Sony Control-A1 system to name them. Names used are the last characters of the MP3 filenames or ID3 tags in current versions of the program.

No claims are made for the program, it was written to do a job for me, no more, so the GUI is not what it might be!, - but it seems to perform the task well. I think it will also work with MDS-PC1 and MDS-PC3, but I have not tried it myself. The program has been written out of the frustration of using the Sony software which does not support media files contained within my PC! - I offer it here free of charge for everyone elses benefit.

If your MD is on a different serial port to the default (COM1), then use the registry to edit the serial port you are using via HKEY_CURRENT_USER/Software/VB and VBA Program Settings/MP3MDSPC2 - V0.1.0 and later have COM port settings on the main screen.

Blank Minidiscs from Amazoncover

Double click file entries to add them to the record list, then click 'RECORD' to record them to MD.

Good luck and have fun!

If you have trouble installing the program, please read the FAQ, there is sometimes an issue installing on some systems.

Revision
 Comments
Install
Update
V0.2.3
 Improves installation, minor features Download source for V0.2.3 in Visual Basic 6
V0.2.5
 Improved the reliability of changing COM ports.
n/a
V0.2.10
 Re-compiled, some slight improvements, fixes old 'run time error 68' issues
V0.3.0
 Added a check box to allow program to be used as a 'pause inserter' - makes the program a simple MP3 player and allows compatibility with non-Control-A1 recorders View screenshot

Only condition of using source code, is to notify me / supply improvements to code, via simon@miodem.com and provide acknowledgement via any web re-distribution.

Program is provided 'as is' and no warranty is provided, nor any liability for damages consequential or otherwise.

Program requirements :
Sony MD recorder with Control-A1 input
Aaudio output to MD recorder from PC (Optical is preferred)
Control-A1 controller on a free serial port (as Sony's MD Editor program)
MP3 or .WAV files to record!
Windows 95 or Windows 98 (Windows ME, 2000, XP untested - ME/XP may be OK)

Program has been tested with :
 Sony MDS-PC2
Sony MPS-PC1
Sony MDS-JB920
Please let me know if you have the program working on any other MD recorder.

FAQ

Q My Sony MD was bought more than 2 years ago (model MZ-R3)and I am not sure it can support A1 controller input and where to get it. Can you explain a bit more about the A1-controller. Is it possible to record the MP3 directly from the optical cable to my MD without the controller?
A The Control A1 input allows the direct control of the player/recorder, which allows the program to start recording and name the tracks. Without this device connected to your PC's serial port (NOT USB!), the program will not work.
Q   I have problems installing the software, can you help?
A The program works with Windows 95, Windows 98 or Windows XP, but has not been tested with Windows 2000. I do not believe the install routines are compatible with W2000, I do not have plans to sort this out at this time - the program is free of charge after all! One user reports that you can unzip MDSPC2.EXE from the installation CAB file, and restore MSDXM.OCX from his Windows installation CD which solved the problem. Most users have no problem installing the program at all.
Q Any chance to make it work with Windows 2000 at all?
A W2000 users may be able to install by installing just the update (i.e. just the EXE file), but they will need the Visual Basic support components to already be installed on their system.
Q I was wondering if your mds-pc2 recorder would work with the Sony MZG 750 DPC?
A I have not tried it so I don't know (if it's USB, then the answer is almost certainly NO - unless you can make the USB appear as a serial port in some way, the progam is only written to work with serial ports), if you use the program with a recorder other than those listed above and it works, let me know, so I can add the recorder to this page! 
Q What Controller do you use ?
A It's the Control A1 serial interface. The program is not compatible with USB.
Q What connections are needed?
A The serial (via the Control-A1 interface) controls the commands to the minidisc deck. All the audio goes down either normal phono audio leads, or if you have it, then optical connections are preferred. Commands CANNOT go down the optical leads!

 
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Page last updated 25 November, 2004